Falcon 9 launch from California adds 51 more satellites to Starlink network – Spaceflight Now
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-17 00:00
The Starlink 2-5 mission began with liftoff at 11:12:20 a.m. PST (2:12:20 p.m. EST) A Falcon 9 rocket delivered 51 more Starlink internet satellites into orbit. The launch Friday from California was the first of two SpaceX missions on tap the same day.
First launch of Japan’s H3 rocket aborted moments before liftoff – Spaceflight Now
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-17 00:00
Japan's first H3 rocket aborted moments before liftoff. Launch vehicle detected problem and cut off countdown. H3 rocket will replace Japan's workhorse H-2A rocket and the already-retired H-2B launch vehicle. The maiden flight of the H3 rocket will have two LE-9 core stage engines.
Live coverage: SpaceX launches 51 more Starlink satellites – Spaceflight Now
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-17 00:00
SpaceX launches a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on the Starlink 2-5 mission with 51 Starlink internet satellites. Text updates will appear automatically below; there is no need to reload the page. Follow us on Twitter at @SpaceX.
Inmarsat satellite poised to provide connectivity over Atlantic Ocean – Spaceflight Now
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-16 00:00
Inmarsat 6 F2 spacecraft will be parked in geostationary orbit more than 22,000 miles (nearly 36,000 kilometers) over the Earth. The dual-band communications payload will provide in-flight WiFi on aircraft, broadband services to ships, and connectivity for U.S. Military and other government users. SpaceX has an 89-minute launch window to get the mission off the ground Friday night, or else wait for another day.
Pre-launch interview with Inmarsat’s Peter Hadinger (members only) – Spaceflight Now
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-17 00:00
This page is available to Spaceflight Now members only. Use the weekly Newsquiz to test your knowledge of stories you saw on Spaceflight Now. At the bottom of the page, please share your photos and videos of the space shuttle Endeavour and its historic shuttle program.
Japan’s new H3 rocket ready for first test flight – Spaceflight Now
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-16 00:00
Japan is set to test its new flagship launch vehicle, the H3, with a demonstration flight Thursday night from the Tanegashima Space Center. The H3 has a six-minute, 20-second launch window opening at 8:37:55 p.m. EST Thursday (0137:55 GMT Friday), or 10:37 a.m. Japan Standard Time. The maiden flight of the H3 rocket will have two LE-9 core stage engines, each producing more than 330,000 pounds of thrust.
NASASpaceFlight.com
Scientists have only measured the masses of white dwarfs within binary star systems. With help from the joint NASA/European Space Agency (ESA) Hubble Space Telescope, a team of researchers directly measured the mass of an isolated white dwarf outside of a binary star system. Found to be approximately 56% of the Sun’s mass, the team’s results agree with previous white dwarf mass predictions.
Commercial Archives
SpaceX is ready to launch the Inmarsat I-6 F2 satellite into geostationary transfer orbit atop a Falcon 9. The vehicle will lift off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This launch will mark 2023’s 24th orbital launch attempt and SpaceX’s 12th of the year.
International Archives
JAXA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries planned to debut the H3 launch vehicle early Friday. The launch was aborted at T0 when the main engine shut down before the Solid Rocket Boosters were to ignite. For its maiden flight, the rocket will launch the ALOS-3 optical satellite into a 669-kilometer Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO)
ISS Updates – Spaceflight101 – International Space Station
A veteran NASA spacewalker and an EVA rookie from Japan ended their week with nearly six hours of work outside the International Space Station. The restoration of the Station’s Mobile Servicing System started last year and continued in January to provide Canadarm2 with a new pair of grappling hands.
Featured – Spaceflight101
SpaceX Falcon 9 takes to the skies over Florida’s Cape Canaveral Monday afternoon. SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts a flight-proven Dragon spacecraft into orbit for a critical delivery of science gear, supplies and maintenance hardware. First of at least six cargo ships inbound to the U.S. Segment of ISS this year.
News – Spaceflight101
Russia's Rockot booster set to blast off from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome at 17:57 UTC with the Sentinel-3B multi-function satellite. Sentinel-3B is Europe's latest addition to the Copernicus satellite fleet. Read more at: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/satellite-news/article-253845/Russia-rockot-booster-set-to-blast-off-from-Plesetsk-Cosmodrome.html.
SpaceX’s Starlinks launch from Vandenberg SFB and Inmarsat 6-F2 satellite scheduled later tonight from Florida – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-17 00:00
SpaceX’s launch of 51 Starlink satellites to LEO from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Friday, February 17th at 11:12 a.m., PT (19:12 UTC) was successful. Falcon 9’s first stage landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This nine hours later launch will be followed by the SpaceX launch of the Inmarsat 6-F2 satellite aboard a Falcon 9 from the Cape Canaveral AFS.
Space Systems Command (SSC) releases National Security Space Launch Phase 3 draft request for proposals – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-16 00:00
Space Systems Command has released two, National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Draft Requests for Proposals (RFP), based on a dual-lane acquisition approach. Release of the Final RFPs are expected in 3rd Quarter FY23, with award for Lane 1 and Lane 2 contracts targeting 4th Quarter FY24.
SIA-India congratulates “Successful Launch of JANUS-1 Satellite: A Milestone for Ananth Technologies, Antaris and XDLinx” – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-16 00:00
SIA-India congratulates ISRO on the successful completion of the SSLV-D2/EOS-07 mission. Placing EOS-07, Janus-1, and AzaadiSAT-2 into their intended orbits flawlessly showcases ISRO’s commitment to advancing the space industry and driving innovation.
Vyoma and EnduroSat join forces to ensure space safety and sustainability – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-16 00:00
Vyoma and EnduroSat have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The two companies will support each other to improve sustainability of space activities. Vyoma’s solutions and services will give EnduroSat access to accurate real-time tracking data from a network of ground-based sensors.
Space Foundation State of Space 2023 video + infographic now available… – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-02-16 00:00
The Space Foundation hosted their 2023 State of Space program on February 18th. Featured speakers provided unique viewpoints and comprised a select group of industry experts. The full 50-minute video of these interviews can be viewed at this direct link. The event was hosted by Space Foundation CEO Tom Zelibor.
Radar Observations of Elongated Near-Earth Asteroid 2011 AG5
2011 AG5 is one of the most elongated asteroids to be observed by planetary radar to date. Scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California closely tracked the asteroid, making invaluable observations to help determine its size, rotation, surface details, and shape. There was no risk of 2011 AG5 impacting Earth.
Front Left Hazcam – Two Year Movie
The Mars 2020 Perseverance mission is part of NASA's Moon to Mars exploration approach. The Mars Perseverance rover's Front Left Hazard Avoidance Camera will take images between Sol 13 (March 4, 2021) and Sol 708 (Feb. 16, 2023)
February 2023 You've Got Perseverance Student Awardees Honored
Perseverance Mars Rover Mission Lead Beth Dewell, of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California interacted with middle- and high-school students. The event honored students in the "You've Got Perseverance," Campaign to recognize those who have overcome academic obstacles. To nominate a student for the next round, go to https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/participate/got-perseverance/nominate.
Mars Team Members Honor You've Got Perseverance Awardees in February 2023
Perseverance Mars Rover Deputy Project Manager Rich Welch and Mission Lead Beth Dewell, spoke with middle- and high-school students during a live webinar. The event honored students in the "You've Got Perseverance" Campaign. To nominate a student for the next round, go to https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/participate/got-perseverance/nominate.
Annotated Version of Perseverance Selfie With Sample Tubes
NASA's Perseverance Mars rover took a selfie with nine of the 10 sample tubes it deposited at a sample depot. The depot marks a crucial milestone in the NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return campaign. The selfie is composed of 59 individual WATSON images that were stitched together once they were sent back to Earth.
Perseverance's Portrait of the Sample Depot
Perseverance Mars rover captured this portrait of its recently completed sample depot using its Mastcam-Z camera on Jan. 31, 2023. Each sample tube is approximately 7 inches (18 centimeters) long and.8 inches (2 centimeters) in diameter. The depot is a crucial milestone in the NASA-ESA (European Space Agency) Mars Sample Return campaign.
Faces of Leadership: The Directors of JPL
JPL Director, 2001-2016 Charles Elachi was born in Lebanon and received a bachelor's degree in physics from the University of Grenoble, France. He received a master's degree (1969) and doctorate (1971) in electrical sciences from Caltech. He also earned a master's in business administration (1978) from USC and a master's in geology (1983) from UCLA.